These two books contain essays that record the
histories of individual families. They are a
treasure trove for genealogists whose families
settled in western North Dakota in the St. Joseph
parish at Dickinson. Monsignor George Aberle is a
conscientious
workman. Beginning with individual men, he
notes occupation, place of origin in Russia, a bit
about their lives there, and their families coming
to America. He continues, in each entry, with lots of
family names, each man's parents,
spouse(s), and children, and the name of the
officiating clergyman and witnesses at each
wedding. He notes the men's business and achievements
and identifies some individual quality
about each of them. He endeavors to set each family
into its historical context. Finally, in each
sketch, he records their politics, religion, and the
size of their families.